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CHEER

Name: CHEER
Author: Uncle Ian Aurora
ISBN: 978-1-4867-1808-5

A BOOK TO CELEBRATE COMMUNITY

by Uncle Ian Aurora ; illustrated by Natalia Moore ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 2, 2020

Gives appreciative preschoolers lots to cheer for.

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Get ready for audience participation when you read this story out loud.

This enthusiastic tribute to multigenerational family members and community helpers is an ideal preschool-storytime choice to spark discussion, appreciation, and, yes, cheers, especially for local or national recognition observances such as Grandparents’ Day, First Responders’ Day, and even National Authors’ Day. Cartoon illustrations in eye-catching colors depict an inclusive community via a mix of vignettes and single- and double-page spreads. Broadly, often lopsidedly smiling children and adults with a range of skin tones and hairstyles populate most pages. The primary cheerleader appears biracial, with a medium brown skin tone and pigtail puffs and interracial (black and white) parents. Readers are encouraged to “Cheer for the grannies… / the abuelas…the nanas! // Cheer for the dads. / They all act bananas.” (Aurora is not above the convenient, fundamentally meaningless rhyme.) The granny, who is black, is shown in a wheelchair, and several children and adults wear glasses. More than the usual community helpers are included, such as sanitation workers, sales clerks, janitors, and teammates. With short, simply worded rhyming couplets spread over two to four pages, there is plenty of room for rousing cheers and discussion about the important people in a young child’s life.

Gives appreciative preschoolers lots to cheer for. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: June 2, 2020

ISBN: 978-1-4867-1808-5

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Flowerpot Press

Review Posted Online: March 14, 2020

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2020

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY

- BOOK REVIEW
STOMP
by Uncle Ian Aurora ; illustrated by Natalia Moore

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THERE'S A ROCK CONCERT IN MY BEDROOM

by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2022

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.

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Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.

Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: March 29, 2022

ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin

Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

- BOOK REVIEW
THERE'S A BEACH IN MY BEDROOM
by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson

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HOW TO CATCH A MAMASAURUS

From the How To Catch… series

by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Andy Elkerton ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 5, 2024

A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.

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Another creature is on the loose.

The long-running series continues its successful formula with this Hallmark card of a book, which features bright illustrations and catchy rhymes. This time, the mythical creature the racially diverse children set out to catch is an absent mom who does it all (lists of descriptors include the words banker, caregiver, nurse, doctor, driver, chef, housekeeper, teacher, entertainer, playmate, laundry service, problem solver, handywoman, cleaner, and alarm clock) but doesn’t seem to have a job outside the home and is inexplicably a dinosaur. As the children prepare gifts and a meal for her, the text becomes an ode to the skills the Mamasaurus possesses (“Day or night she’s always there. / She meets every wish and need”) and values she instills (“Sometimes life can mean hard work,” “kindness matters,” and “what counts is doing your best”). This well-intentioned selection veers into cliche generously sprinkled with saccharine but manages to redeem itself with its appreciation for mothers and all that they may do. Endpapers include a “to” and “from” page framed in a heart, as well as a page where young gift givers or recipients can draw a picture of their Mamasaurus.